Training activity information
Details
Perform and report the results for semen analysis for patients or donor samples, to include assessment of:
- semen volume
- liquefaction
- viscosity
- concentration
- motility
- qualitative morphology
Type
Entrustable training activity (ETA)
Evidence requirements
Evidence the activity has been undertaken by the trainee repeatedly, consistently, and effectively over time, in a range of situations. This may include occasions where the trainee has not successfully achieved the outcome of the activity themselves. For example, because it was not appropriate to undertake the task in the circumstances or the trainees recognised their own limitations and sought help or advice to ensure the activity reached an appropriate conclusion.
Reflection at multiple timepoints on the trainee learning journey for this activity.
Considerations
- National and international guidance
- WHO laboratory manual guidance
- Normal and suboptimal criteria
- In-house standard operating procedures
- Aseptic technique
- Chain of custody
- Patient confidentiality
- Infection control
Reflective practice guidance
The guidance below is provided to support reflection at different time points, providing you with questions to aid you to reflect for this training activity. They are provided for guidance and should not be considered as a mandatory checklist. Trainees should not be expected to provide answers to each of the guidance questions listed.
Before action
What does success look like?
- Identify what is expected of you in relation to performing and reporting semen analysis.
- Consider how the learning outcomes apply, specifically in relation to the accurate measurement and reporting of each parameter.
- Discuss with your Training Officer to gain clarity of what is expected of you in relation to the expected standards for performing each assessment parameter (e.g., concentration, motility, morphology) according to laboratory Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) or WHO guidelines.
What is your prior experience of this activity?
- Think about what you already know about semen parameters and assessment techniques (e.g., using CASA, microscopy skills).
- Consider possible challenges you might face during the activity, such as dealing with samples that fall outside normal parameters.
- Recognise the scope of your own practice for this activity i.e. know when you will need to seek advice or help, and from whom. You will need to seek advice from your Training Officer when required, for example, if you are unsure about the interpretation of atypical morphology.
- Acknowledge how you feel about performing and reporting a complete semen analysis.
What do you anticipate you will learn from the experience?
- Consider the specific skills you want to develop, such as refining morphology assessment or improving consistency in counting.
- Identify the specific insights you hope to gain into interpreting semen parameters and their clinical significance.
What additional considerations do you need to make?
- Consult actions identified following previous experiences of performing semen analysis or managing quality control.
- Identify important information you need to consider before embarking on the activity, such as specific aspects of the laboratory’s SOPs or quality control procedures for semen analysis.
In action
Is anything unexpected occurring?
- Are you noticing anything surprising or different from what you anticipate whilst performing and reporting the semen analysis?
- Are you encountering situations such as:
- A sample with unexpectedly high viscosity or poor liquefaction?
- The motility results deviating significantly from what might be expected based on previous observations of similar samples?
How are you reacting to the unexpected development?
- How is this impacting your actions? For example, are you responding to the situation appropriately? Are you adapting or changing your approach to assessment or preparation (e.g., extended liquefaction time, specific handling for high viscosity)?
- Consider the steps you are taking in the moment, such as pausing or consulting a colleague during the analysis.
- How are you feeling in that moment? For instance, are you finding it difficult to interpret potentially ambiguous morphology? Is it affecting your confidence in reporting the complete semen analysis?
What is the conclusion or outcome?
- Identify how you are working within your scope of practice. For example, were you able to complete the assessment and report despite the sample’s unexpected characteristics? Or are you needing support because interpreting atypical morphology required definitive senior input?
- What are you learning as a result of the unexpected development? For example, are you gaining insight into handling specific sample characteristics or interpreting unexpected findings in the moment?
On action
What happened?
- Begin by summarising the key steps you took when performing the semen analysis and reporting the results. What were the results you obtained for volume, liquefaction, viscosity, concentration, motility, and morphology?
- Consider specific events, actions, or interactions which felt important, such as how you handled the sample preparation or ensured accurate counting and recording of parameters.
- Include any ‘reflect-in-action’ moments where you had to adapt to the situation as it unfolded, for instance, adjusting the microscopy illumination or re-checking a specific parameter when the initial reading appeared atypical.
- How did you feel during this experience, e.g., did you feel focused while performing the analysis or stressed when preparing the final report?
How has this experience contributed to your developing practice?
- Identify what learning you can take from performing and reporting this specific semen analysis. What strengths did you demonstrate, e.g., meticulous adherence to the counting protocol?
- What skills and/or knowledge gaps were evident, e.g., difficulty identifying subtle morphological abnormalities or confidently using the analysis equipment?
- Compare this experience against previous engagement with similar activities – were any previously identified actions for development related to semen analysis achieved? Has your practice improved in technique or reporting accuracy?
- Identify any challenges you experienced, such as a sample with poor liquefaction or highly complex morphology, and how you reacted to this. This might include needing to seek advice or clarification on scope of practice regarding interpreting atypical morphology, and how you reacted to this.
What will you take from the experience moving forward?
- Identify the actions or ‘next steps’ you will now take to support the assimilation of what you have learnt, including from any feedback you have received, with regards to improving the structure and confidence of your final report conclusion.
- What will you do differently next time you approach performing a semen analysis, for instance, by proactively establishing a more robust quality check protocol when faced with a sample outside normal parameters?
- Do you need to practise any aspect of the activity further, such as morphology assessment or key learning outcomes related to accurate measurement and reporting of parameters?
Beyond action
Have you revisited the experiences?
- How have your subsequent experiences of performing and reporting semen analysis since completing this specific training activity led you to revisit your initial approach or decisions during that activity?
- Considering what you understand about clinical significance of different semen parameters and reporting standards now, were the actions or considerations you identified after your initial reflection on this training activity sufficient?
- Has discussing semen analysis results or the challenges of quality assessment schemes with colleagues, peers, or supervisors changed how you now view your initial experience in this training activity? For example, how professional storytelling with a senior colleague about a challenging sample requiring verification refined your understanding of the learning opportunities presented by this activity.
How have these experiences impacted upon current practice?
- How has the learning from this initial training activity, in combination with subsequent semen analysis experiences, contributed to your overall confidence and ability in semen analysis and reporting standards, particularly in preparing for assessments like DOPS or OCEs? For example, how your accumulated ability in microscopic assessment (e.g., for morphology) and data interpretation now enables you to confidently justify findings and discuss the clinical significance of semen parameters during a Case-Based Discussion (CBD) assessment.
- How has reflecting back on this specific training activity, combined with everything you’ve learned since, shaped your current approach to performing and reporting semen analysis? How does this evolved understanding help you identify when something is beyond your scope of practice or requires escalation? For example, how your evolved approach means you now routinely seek advice from your Training Officer immediately when interpreting atypical or borderline results that could significantly impact the subsequent treatment pathway, recognising this requires definitive senior input.
- Looking holistically at your training journey, how has this initial semen analysis experience, revisited with your current perspective, contributed to your development in meeting the learning outcomes related to accurate measurement and reporting of parameters? For example, how this foundational experience has supported your development in meticulous adherence to protocols and accurate data recording/reporting, skills transferable across all specialist laboratory tasks.
Relevant learning outcomes
| # | Outcome |
|---|---|
| # 1 |
Outcome
Evaluate the suitability and prepare sperm for treatment. |
| # 2 |
Outcome
Outline the appropriate treatment pathways for patients based on the clinical parameters. |